B’nai B’rith International Appeals to Secretary-General to Formally Condemn Treki

In a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, B’nai B’rith International strongly condemns General Assembly President Ali Abdussalam Treki’s comments that conditions in Gaza are “worse” than conditions faced by Holocaust victims. Treki also seemed to legitimize terrorist activities. Such comments should preclude him from holding such a position at the United Nations.

During an interview on Syrian television, Treki reportedly said: “The siege on Gaza is a disgrace for the entire international community. It is a camp that is worse than the camps of the Nazis in the past.”

In the letter, B’nai B’rith President Dennis W. Glick and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin noted: “Dr. Treki’s comments are an outrage, a blight upon the United Nations and his high office, and an impediment to historical truth and to peace.” Glick and Mariaschin also referred to the remarks as “deplorable” and in violation of a General Assembly resolution.

Also in the TV interview, Treki said: “There is great resistance of the Palestinian people, in occupied Palestine, in general, and in Gaza in particular. This ongoing resistance annoys the Israelis, and it has the right to persist until the Israelis fulfill their obligations, and until the Palestinian people are given the right to determine its destiny and establish its state.”

In response, Glick and Mariaschin note: “The entire international community—beginning with this city that hosts the United Nations—knows by now that terrorism, often motivated by extremist political aims disguised in a quasi-religious conception of justice, is a paramount scourge and threat to humanity.”

The letter concludes, “Dr. Treki must be reminded by world leaders—publicly and unequivocally—that he has been entrusted with serving all members of the United Nations General Assembly, not only those who sponsor or approve of terrorism. He must be reminded that incitement, dangerous falsehoods and apathy over violent atrocity of the kinds he has promoted will confirm him as profoundly unfit for his post. As a leader charged with the protection of the United Nations, its mission and founding values, Mr. Secretary General, we urge that this message now be conveyed, above all, by you.”